BC Museums Association Announces New Executive Director

Theresa Mackay photo

On January 21, 2014 the Council for the BC Museums Association announced the appointment of Theresa Mackay to the position of Executive Director. Ms. Mackay, a prominent leader in the fields of marketing and culture and a former director with the Royal BC Museum, succeeds interim Executive Director, John Grimes. Ms. Mackay assumes her position at the association this month.

Ms. Mackay has worked across Canada and internationally for such companies as the Royal BC Museum, Harbourfront Centre and HSBC, and through these roles has worked in partnership with such organizations as The Jewish Museum (NYC), the New York City Ballet, the British Museum and Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto. She is an Associate Faculty member at Royal Roads University, a certified Communications and Advertising Accredited Professional, holds a BA from Simon Fraser University and is completing her Master of Letters in Scottish history with the University of the Highlands and Islands, Scotland.

Ms. Mackay impressed the BCMA Council with her fresh ideas and energy. “Theresa was clearly the right choice for our membership and for this key cultural leadership role,” stated Council president, Peter Ord. “Her background in education, arts and culture, museums and international business, along with her experience in strategic partnerships and success in taking ideas from seed to reality, is a unique mix that opens up numerous possibilities for our association, our membership and the sector in BC. We are excited to have her head our association.”

Said Theresa Mackay of the appointment, “I am honored to have been selected to lead and be the voice of British Columbia’s museum and gallery sector. I strongly believe that the impact of our sector on education, tourism, and the economy should not be undersold. Not only do we have some of the most award-winning and innovative institutions in this province, but we change people’s lives every day through the museum experience by engaging in and presenting research, stories and perspective. The mission for us will be to have this impact heard and ensure that the world is aware of the leading-edge work being done in this province and our communities.”

Canada has more than 2,400 museums with over 24,000 paid employees and 55,000 volunteers. Canada's heritage institutions, excluding nature parks and archives, generated operating revenues of $1.3 billion in 2010. At 13.0%, BC heritage institutions hold third place nationally in total revenue generation, after Ontario (40.4%) and Quebec (26.7%). In 2010, BC heritage institutions reported attendance of over seven million people, employed more than 2500 people directly and engaged over 8000 community volunteers.

The BC Museums Association is the professional association for the museum and gallery sector in the province of British Columbia. As the voice for institutions, professional staff, trustees and volunteers of museums and art galleries, it delivers educational programs and networking opportunities for the sector while honouring industry excellence, inspiring innovation and acting as the provincial advocate and information hub. Founded in 1957, the BCMA has over 400 members across the province ranging from major museums, to historic and heritage sites, to independent galleries, and local and city archives.

THERESA MACKAY- BIOGRAPHY

A proven leader in the marketing and arts & culture landscape, Theresa Mackay brings over 25 years of experience in the fields of sponsorship, brand, marketing and program development, as well as a keen eye to sustainable strategies for non-profits. She has worked across Canada and internationally for private companies, non-profit organizations, the public sector and as a sole proprietor in wide variety of industries including education, government, tourism, arts & culture, and financial services, lending a unique breadth and depth to her work.

While Assistant Vice President with HSBC, she developed North American strategies for 100+ sponsorships and regional marketing initiatives at 570+ branches, managing a team located in Vancouver, Toronto, Buffalo, and New York City. Working in partnership with such organizations as The Jewish Museum (NYC), the New York City Ballet, Roy Thomson Hall, and Stars on Ice, she progressed sponsorships to “one of the most innovative of 79 HSBC countries in the world” resulting in a President’s Award as Top 100 staff in North America and recognition as a Canadian Leader in Action.

Following HSBC, Theresa joined the Royal BC Museum in an executive position as Director, Marketing and Communications. Here she played a key role in championing the 15-year vision, a catalyst for precinct redevelopment, while revitalizing the museum brand and working with such internationally renowned institutions as the British Museum. Since then, Theresa has been the owner and managing director of Larchgrove Marketing Group, a marketing consulting firm in Victoria.

Theresa is an Associate Faculty member at the School of Tourism and Hospitality Management, Royal Roads University, having previously held similar positions at Camosun College in Victoria and Capilano University in North Vancouver. Theresa is a Communications and Advertising Accredited Professional (CAAP), holds a BA from Simon Fraser University and is completing her Master of Letters in Scottish history with the University of the Highlands and Islands, Scotland.